MTFCA Forum

Picture number two. I saw that picture on another forum a couple days ago. I am not sure what to think about it. There have been a rash of AI produced fake photos creeping into the internet in the recent past year. I am not sure that this isn't another one.

Anybody? Details you might see that do not seem right? Anybody remember this car from seeing that photo years ago?

Photo number nine. Definitely a genuine era photo, and a long time favorite of mine.
Anybody care to guess the exact model of this pre-T? (I will tell you in a couple seconds)
Believe it or not, this very exact car is owned by one of our own, a longtime forum regular, and a highly respected one at that! I will allow he or someone else reveal who that owner is.
The car, is very special. Although it was later updated with the fenders and running boards, it is one of the earliest model N Fords produced! Model N number two if I recall correctly. If I recall correctly, this photo was taken in the 1920s.

The brass cars seem to have a much higher shine than the later ones.

Photo # 4, same owner and Torpedo pictured in Floyd Clymer’s “Henry’s Wonderful Model T”.

Picture #1: The driver, still oddly unable to get a date.

My Gramps' '24 TT has the same front bumper as the Touring car in #13.

Jerry VanOoteghem wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 12, 2025 11:08 am

Picture #1: The driver, still oddly unable to get a date.

Billy Poohbah

Only old timers will get that one.

big2bird wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 12, 2025 12:42 pm

Jerry VanOoteghem wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 12, 2025 11:08 am

Picture #1: The driver, still oddly unable to get a date.

Billy Poohbah

Only old timers will get that one.

I protest! I ain't that old. At least I don't identify as that old.

I just feel closer to the drain than the faucet.

Photo no. 12 appears to be a 1903 Ford. I am not familiar with what is hanging under the car. Can some one zoom in on the license plate to see what state it is from?

Herb when I enlarge the photo, it looks to be a canvas dust/mud shield. You can just make out the tabs on the side that hold it to the frame.

Herb,
The license 1903(?) Rear Entrance appears to be "Pennsylvania 1907 - 5986".
It was white on red that year but can only read the 5986.

Is the horn mounted to the steering wheel in #12?

Sure looks like it ! Interesting !

Wayne Sheldon wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 12, 2025 7:00 am

Picture number two. I saw that picture on another forum a couple days ago. I am not sure what to think about it. There have been a rash of AI produced fake photos creeping into the internet in the recent past year. I am not sure that this isn't another one.

Anybody? Details you might see that do not seem right? Anybody remember this car from seeing that photo years ago?

Okay, I think I have convinced myself that this photo is an AI fake.
I really have not wanted to look at this photo closely. The AACA forum has had so many AI fakes sneaking in that I am disgusted by them. I see no artistic value to them, and any attempt to pass them off as maybe real photographs to me is extremely offensive. I do not want to fault good people that find era photos by searching online and then sharing them with interested people on good forums.

When I first saw this picture on the AACA forum, it just didn't look right to me. Mostly the car looked like it might have been real, as a custom build with after-market upgrades. The "name" in the side window might suggest a funeral car, which might explain the custom build to begin with. However, something about the whole car looked "off", and after several other recent AI fakes, I really did not want to look closely at it. A comment or two were made, and that being a long thread, it soon dropped out of sight.
So, then it shows up here, and here it still is. Still bugging me. So, a couple days, and I feel compelled to look closely.
I zoom in closer, front to back, top to bottom, and there it is. Looking past the rear wheel, one can clearly see the bottom part of the right rear wheel and tire. You can see the whole outer part of the left rear wheel, and some of the brake drum behind it. Clearly, on the other side of the car, is the lower area of the right rear wheel, and tire. But there is NO axle tube or differential between the two wheels! Certainly the entire right side of the axle housing would not be in view. However, the left side housing and lower part of the differential should be clearly seen.

Don't take this the wrong way. I do find the increasing number of fake pictures being presented as real era photos to be offensive. Studying real history is important in the grand scheme of things. And anything muddying up the truth does do damage.
However, this is a real issue these days. Such pictures when they sneak in should be pointed out, and looked at for what they are. Many times, they should remain with discussions in place to be seen and studied for what they are, and how to spot them in the future.

As always, I wish to thank Tom R for finding and sharing so many wonderful era photos for all of us to see, study, and enjoy!
Thank you Tom!
W2

Interesting thoughts on #2. Looking at the running board apron, there is a "bright" section at its midway point which ends abruptly in a sharp, vertical line just below the leading edge of the door. That's kind of odd. Also, in the rear wheel area that Wayne mentions, it seems very odd that you can see clear through to the right wheel even as high as the 12 o'clock position. Strange that the body would sit so tall that it would not obstruct that view. On the other hand, the reflections in the body finish all seem to line up and make sense, which AI fakes sometimes miss. Although, since AI is always "listening", I suppose it's been tipped off to these observations and will make corrections accordingly .

What a shame that this stupid AI thing has got us on this witch hunt, doubting everything we see and hear. This technology can be a powerful tool, when it isn't subverted by a bunch of creeps who's goal in life is to fool people.

Obviously, this is no criticism of Tom and awesome displays of period photos! These picture shows are a high point of this forum.

Number 5 is a nice view of a rather new 1913 Touring
with a white on green 1913 Michigan plate.

So then would the 1903 Ford photo be a fake with the bulb horn floating above the steering wheel?
I know that the 1909 REO cars had a canvas under the engine and drive chain to prevent grass and weeds from becoming entangled in the chain. I have never heard of that being used under the early Fords. Was it an aftermarket accessory?

Re / #2, I panned it because as an item, it didn’t especially interest me. That said, having become phobic over the amount of AI trash being presented as historical images, it sent my “Spidey sense” tingling, it just looks “wrong”, and has the stench of AI manipulation about it. Thanks to Wayne and Jerry for a careful analysis, and as ever, many thanks to Tom for gifting us these treasure troves of authentic photos. The trolls were bound to slip one by at some point.

AI material ought to be labeled as such. On the big black center door, does that hood belong with that radiator? Also, look carefully at the pavement in the foreground near the car.... the word (?) (?) Wilson can be faintly seen. It looks like 2 initials and the word "Wilson".

Herb Iffrig wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 14, 2025 10:21 am

So then would the 1903 Ford photo be a fake with the bulb horn floating above the steering wheel?

I can barely make out the bracket, attaching the horn to the steering wheel rim.

Number 14 is a wonderful period image. Based on the landscaping, it would appear this gas station is brand new. It is nice to see it in all its glory. If one could go back in time, it would be wonderful to see it lit up at night.

WayneJ wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 15, 2025 11:02 am

Number 14 is a wonderful period image. Based on the landscaping, it would appear this gas station is brand new. It is nice to see it in all its glory. If one could go back in time, it would be wonderful to see it lit up at night.

So where are the pumps?

big2bird wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 18, 2025 10:22 am

WayneJ wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 15, 2025 11:02 am

Number 14 is a wonderful period image. Based on the landscaping, it would appear this gas station is brand new. It is nice to see it in all its glory. If one could go back in time, it would be wonderful to see it lit up at night.

So where are the pumps?

...and that's why they went out of business. Sad...

Now, who can tell me the make of the touring car on the far left?

The gas pumps are on the side of the building next to the house behind the cars. You can see one gas globe above the one car and a fellow between the cars looks like he is fueling up.